Chin Implant  Quick Facts

            
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia (numbing medicine) Time: One hour.

Recovery:   5-7 days Total cost approximately: approximately $1600.00 plus cost of implant

• Bringing a recessive chin into balance with the rest of the face can make a dramatic improvement in appearance. A chin that's too small can make the nose look too large.
• Patients expect placement of a chin implant to be more of an inconvenience than it is.
• May be performed alone or with other procedures.
• Incisions (about an inch) are under the chin or from the mouth. I prefer the approach from under the chin.
• Someone must drive you home and to the office the next day. You will have an elastic sling type dressing that hooks with velcro on the top of the head.
• This is a cosmetic surgery, not covered by insurance, fees are paid in advance.
• Swelling and bruising vary with each patient but patients do not find this a difficult procedure.
• Just because this is a want and not a need doesn’t mean it’s any different than any other surgery. All surgery has the same consequences - pain, bruising and swelling.
• Pain medication and antibiotics scripts are called to your pharmacy in advance.
• Complications are no different than any other surgery except for two things. This is a foreign body and although it's not common… rejection is possible. The implant would have to be removed and replaced. If it's left out, you're back to the starting point. Occasionally the healing process can shift the implant from the original placement.
• The lower lip and chin will feel stiff and swollen for a while.
• You may receive vague compliments, but it’s rare for anyone to notice a specific change in your facial profile (unless you tell).
• Your face will look more in balance but you'll still look like yourself.
• Any surgery creates a permanent scar that is red to pink followed by a progression of fading. The position under the chin usually makes it barely noticeable.
• Sutures are removed in 5-7 days and makeup can be worn after this. May shower and shampoo 24 hours after surgery.
• No aspirin products 10 days before surgery.
• MAO Inhibitors drugs, diet pills and herbal remedies may need to be stopped.
• Your only restriction is to avoid bumping/stretching the chin. You are never really incapacitated. Time off work depends on how private you want to be.
• I need to know if you have uncontrolled blood pressure, bleeding or if you have had problems with surgery or anesthesia in the past.